Water saving stopcock

Abstract

A water saving device that is attached to a conventional water faucet and that includes a vertical movable actuating member for promptly closing off water flow through the device, and further includes a laterally movable member that is pressed inwardly to move a ball valve to the open position for allowing flow of water through the device wherein a preset flow of water through the device may be obtained by a simple touch of the hand.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A water saving stop cock for use with a water faucet having a nozzle through which water is discharged, comprising an inner member on which an outer member is mounted for limited vertical movement with respect thereto, said inner member being secured to said nozzle and having an interior cavity formed therein that receives water from said nozzle, a discharge opening formed in said cavity through which water is discharged, a ball valve located in said cavity and normally being located over said discharge opening for preventing discharge of water therethrough, and an actuating member having a portion that extends through said outer member and inner member and terminating in an inner plate that extends into said cavity, said actuating member being laterally movable to cause said inner plate to move said ball valve out of engagement with said discharge opening to allow for flow of water through the stop cock, said outer member moving vertically downwardly by gravity to lock said actuating member in the open position, said outer member being liftable upwardly relative to said inner member to release said actuating member from the locked position thereof which is returned to the closed position by water pressure in said cavity, said ball valve thereafter being moved by the pressure of said water over said discharge opening to close off flow of water therethrough. 
     
     
       2. A water saving stop cock as claimed in claim 1, said outer member including an opening through which said portion of said actuating member extends, said portion including a large part and a small part, said large part being received in said opening in said outer member when said ball valve is located over said discharge opening wherein flow of water through said stop cock is prevented, said small part being movable into said opening in said outer member upon inner lateral movement of said actuating member, wherein said outer member moves downwardly to misalign the opening therein with said large part to prevent the actuating member from retracting and thereby locking said actuating member in the open position thereof. 
     
     
       3. A water saving stop cock as claimed in claim 2, the upward lifting movement of said outer member causing said opening therein to become aligned with said large part, the pressure of water in said cavity causing said large part to retract into said opening in said outer member thereby locking said actuating member in the closed position thereof, whereafter said ball valve is moved over said discharge opening to close off flow of water therethrough.